PHILADELPHIA — There is nothing more important to a punter than the timing that comes from a solid, professional flow.

To Mat McBriar, that is only now becoming possible.

Having injured his plant foot at the end of last season with the Dallas Cowboys, McBriar had a chance to kick his way onto the Eagles’ roster as a late training camp addition. Never fully comfortable, he was cut in favor of Chas Henry, before being called back three games into the season.

In his two games with the Birds, the two-time Pro Bowl punter has been inconsistent, if occasionally impressive. Mostly, though, he has become comfortable — the most vital situation of all.

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“The surgeon who operated on me said that by the summer, I would begin to get my function back,” McBriar was saying Thursday at the NovaCare Complex. “And he was hopeful that by midseason, that my foot would feel normal to punt. That was sort of the hope. And I sort of feel that I have bested his projection.”

McBriar, twice a Pro Bowl punter, suffered severe nerve damage in his left foot, requiring the offseason surgery. The Eagles’ coaches said he was only narrowly beaten out by Henry in camp, then gave him another chance.

But in a 16-14 loss in Pittsburgh, McBriar had a couple of 56-yard punts, but also one for 25 yards that he thought he’d hit well but was knocked down by the wind. Either way, the Birds are watching their new punter — not necessarily with a frown, but watching just the same.

“I think he was a little bit unstable and that caused some of his inconsistency,” special teams coordinator Bobby April said. “I think there’s a chance he is nurturing himself back into his old form because he is certainly not punting it the best he’s ever punted.”

The results have been lukewarm. But his return to health, McBriar insists, is real.

“I don’t even notice it any more,” he said. “I have been through enough exercises now that it has helped strengthen it, whereas before I couldn’t do that sort of stuff. But it is coming around.”

“I haven’t been thinking about it, to be honest. So that’s how I know it is back to normal. I am happy with the way it’s progressed.”

It is five games into the season, and the Eagles have yet to give into what has to be a haunting temptation. DeSean Jackson, world-class at the task when utilized, still has not been asked to return punts — that despite the Birds’ No. 28 NFL ranking in average punt return.

“He’s always ready to go,” April said. “He’s like a pinch-hitter. He’s ready to go.” Added April: “You never know. You may get your wish this week, you may get it in two weeks but I don’t know. He’s always ready to go.”

For the record, the job still belongs to rookie Damaris Johnson, who has not had a return longer than 13 yards. Kick returner Brandon Boykin, also a rookie, has averaged an ordinary 21.2 yards per return.

Asked Thursday if the Eagles were close to breaking a kickoff or a punt return, April was refreshingly blunt.

“Well, close to breaking one?” he said. “Probably not.” Elaborating, April would add, “I think we’re improving by increments. There needs to be greater increments of improvement. I do think there is improvement. I think the arrow is pointing in the right direction.”

Not surprisingly, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo did not share his plan for a primary defender — either Nnamdi Asomugha or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — to guard against dangerous Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson Sunday.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he isn’t ready to accept the accolades when whatever he tries works.

“I don’t want to give away what we’re going to do,” Castillo said. “Hopefully we can talk about it after the game, and you can say, ‘Juan, that was a good game plan that you all had.’”